Essential Oils to prevent varroa and tracheal mites

[Ashlee]

Hello,
I read in Natural Beekeeping by Conrad that essential oils can be used to prevent mites. He said to put just a small amount in a grease patty. Is this bad for the bees to eat the oil? I know that the essential oils are not made for human consumption, but what about the bees?

[Robo]

If your talking about tracheal mites,  your better off with tracheal mite resistant bees.  Either re-queen with tracheal resistant queens, or don't treat and you will only have tracheal resistant bees.  If your talking varroa,  some will claim it works, some will claim it doesn't, your results might vary.   Since your in Georgia, you need to be careful with grease patties as the attract small hive bettles.